CHICAGO – The American Medical Association (AMA) has announced the appointment of Dr. John Whyte, M.D., M.P.H., as its incoming chief executive officer and executive vice president. He will officially take the reins on July 1, 2025, stepping into the operational leadership of the nation’s largest physician organization.

Dr. Whyte brings a multifaceted background to the role, having worked across clinical medicine, public health policy, and the private sector. With 27 years of experience as a practicing physician, he also holds a solid track record in federal health leadership and innovation-driven corporate roles.

His resume includes leadership posts at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He also worked with Discovery Communications and most recently served as chief medical officer at WebMD, a leading digital health platform.

“Dr. Whyte is an exceptionally qualified leader who has distinguished himself across many fronts. He is uniquely positioned to lead the AMA at this pivotal time and offers a deep and nuanced understanding of the AMA’s mission, governance, and evolving role—ensuring both continuity and meaningful progress toward the association’s goals,” said AMA Board Chair, Michael Suk, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.

Dr. Whyte responded to his appointment with enthusiasm: “I am honored to join the AMA as CEO and serve all patients and physicians across the country. I have tremendous respect and admiration for this venerable, science-based organization and its important work that improves the lives of millions of people. I see significant opportunities for a strong and vibrant AMA to fulfill its core mission to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.”

A board-certified internist, Dr. Whyte earned his M.D. from Hahnemann University School of Medicine, completed his residency at Duke University Medical Center, and holds a Master of Public Health in health policy and management from Harvard University.

In addition to his executive leadership, Dr. Whyte is a prolific author with five best-selling books and has become a familiar face in public health advocacy. He was widely recognized for his influence during the COVID-19 pandemic and was named among the Top 20 Health Influencers for his role in public outreach.

Dr. Whyte will succeed James L. Madara, M.D., who has served as AMA’s CEO for 14 years and will step down at the end of his current term.